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demosthenes34nz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
retrana2011's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
truthlessofcanada's review against another edition
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
An extremely fitting ending, the series maintains it's strength of very strong, complex character relationships.
The Long Price Quartet definitely sticks the landing. A very unique conflict in this one, following the events of An Autumn War. Very different antagonist than the last 2, and quite well done as well, as generally the antagonists of the series are one of it's main strengths.
I do think book had reaction from society, and people generally to previous events that felt kind of weird to me, especially in combination of a reaction to something later in the book. I guess possible, but to me an entire nation didn't have a certain reaction to past events, that I think a substantial portion of people would have.
This was one of my 5-star predictions, and ultimately did not live up to those lofty expectations, but I can comfortably say that all 4 books in The Long Price Quarter are in my opinion very good. If you want to read a slower paced character driver fantasy series, this should be on the list.
8.6/10
The Long Price Quartet definitely sticks the landing. A very unique conflict in this one, following the events of An Autumn War. Very different antagonist than the last 2, and quite well done as well, as generally the antagonists of the series are one of it's main strengths.
I do think book had reaction from society, and people generally to previous events that felt kind of weird to me, especially in combination of a reaction to something later in the book. I guess possible, but to me an entire nation didn't have a certain reaction to past events, that I think a substantial portion of people would have.
This was one of my 5-star predictions, and ultimately did not live up to those lofty expectations, but I can comfortably say that all 4 books in The Long Price Quarter are in my opinion very good. If you want to read a slower paced character driver fantasy series, this should be on the list.
8.6/10
ianmitchell's review against another edition
5.0
This is the final volume of Daniel Abraham's Long Price Quartet, one of the most original fantasy series in a long time, set in a vaguely oriental world where people called poets can control beings called Andat, who are near-omnipotent ideas made flesh. In some ways this book is a bit of an anti-climax after the earth-shattering events of the third book, An Autumn War, but this book still plays an important role to close out the series and address the consequences of the events in the previous book.
The series is really about two characters, Otah and Maati; one who turned his back on the life of a poet and the other who failed as a poet; that is even more apparent in this book as the chapters alternate between their points of view. This final volume sees both men approaching the ends of their life; fitting since the first volume started with them as children.
Like the rest of this series, the book isn't about mighty heroes and epic battles; it is about people trying to make their way through challenging circumstances. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy, I can't recommend this series highly enough.
The series is really about two characters, Otah and Maati; one who turned his back on the life of a poet and the other who failed as a poet; that is even more apparent in this book as the chapters alternate between their points of view. This final volume sees both men approaching the ends of their life; fitting since the first volume started with them as children.
Like the rest of this series, the book isn't about mighty heroes and epic battles; it is about people trying to make their way through challenging circumstances. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy, I can't recommend this series highly enough.
nicovreeland's review against another edition
3.0
This series is odd. I feel like Abraham was trying so hard to counteract a lot of the typical elements of high fantasy, that he wound up sabotaging the elements that make great fantasy fun to read.
There are a lot of unique ideas in this series, but it was rarely compelling—too often it was just a slog. Maybe some of that is down to the narrator, who was not my favorite.
Abraham’s later series, The Dagger and The Coin is, imo, subverts fantasy tropes while still being fun to read.
There are a lot of unique ideas in this series, but it was rarely compelling—too often it was just a slog. Maybe some of that is down to the narrator, who was not my favorite.
Abraham’s later series, The Dagger and The Coin is, imo, subverts fantasy tropes while still being fun to read.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the concluding book in Abraham's "Long Price Quartet." This is a good book: more imaginative, more thoughtful, more thought-provoking, and better written than the great majority of fantasy I've read. And yet not quite as good as I had anticipated, based on the first three books. I found it slightly less convincing than I had hoped, and also slightly less entrancing. Nonetheless I cried, reading it, and I will miss Otah Machi and his world.
sonice's review against another edition
5.0
5.0 stars. I realize that I’ve mostly repeated myself in reviewing the previous 3 books, so I’ll try to be a little more thorough here – since this is the last book and all.
I fail to remember either an individual book OR any series of books where the characters were all so understandable. Like, there really are (almost) no actual bad guys here. Everyone is doing the best they can, making decisions that they believe are for the greater good, and a lot of the conflict is simply based on differences of opinion. This last instalment is again a wonderful example of this. Two people taking two very different approaches to solve the same problem. Who’s to say one is better than the other? Even the characters themselves admit to making mistakes along the way, to not always having taken the right path. Because of this, the plot feels so real. No moustache twirling villains or “Lawful Good” heroes, just people doing the best they can, in the best way they know how. Fucking BRAVO to the author. This was an absolute masterpiece in this regard; some of the best plotting and character work I’ve ever seen.
The magic system at work here was also a breath of fresh air. I love both hard and soft systems, fireballs and Warrens and Allomancy and all that stuff, but what was fairly unique about this was the way that the magic bites back. It’s incredibly dangerous to even attempt to use it, and once you do it correctly it requires a lifetime of struggle and focus to not fuck it up. Again, this opens up all kinds of room to explore what it means to be a magic user (in this series, a Poet). Another layer stacked on to the already wonderful character work that adds even more dimension to our main cast. Loved it.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned this yet, but the structure of these books – covering the entire lives of the main cast, at 4 different stages of life, from young to old – was also super cool. Most books will have character growth, but here we literally get a lifetime of it.
I could go on and on, but I really think you just have to read it to see what I’m getting at. If you enjoy slow burn, thoughtful, emotionally evocative, well paced books that are light on action and heavy on intrigue and drama, this series is an absolute MUST.
I fail to remember either an individual book OR any series of books where the characters were all so understandable. Like, there really are (almost) no actual bad guys here. Everyone is doing the best they can, making decisions that they believe are for the greater good, and a lot of the conflict is simply based on differences of opinion. This last instalment is again a wonderful example of this. Two people taking two very different approaches to solve the same problem. Who’s to say one is better than the other? Even the characters themselves admit to making mistakes along the way, to not always having taken the right path. Because of this, the plot feels so real. No moustache twirling villains or “Lawful Good” heroes, just people doing the best they can, in the best way they know how. Fucking BRAVO to the author. This was an absolute masterpiece in this regard; some of the best plotting and character work I’ve ever seen.
The magic system at work here was also a breath of fresh air. I love both hard and soft systems, fireballs and Warrens and Allomancy and all that stuff, but what was fairly unique about this was the way that the magic bites back. It’s incredibly dangerous to even attempt to use it, and once you do it correctly it requires a lifetime of struggle and focus to not fuck it up. Again, this opens up all kinds of room to explore what it means to be a magic user (in this series, a Poet). Another layer stacked on to the already wonderful character work that adds even more dimension to our main cast. Loved it.
I don’t think I’ve mentioned this yet, but the structure of these books – covering the entire lives of the main cast, at 4 different stages of life, from young to old – was also super cool. Most books will have character growth, but here we literally get a lifetime of it.
I could go on and on, but I really think you just have to read it to see what I’m getting at. If you enjoy slow burn, thoughtful, emotionally evocative, well paced books that are light on action and heavy on intrigue and drama, this series is an absolute MUST.
ajmarra67's review against another edition
5.0
Accidentally read the 4th book first. It was great, but not sure if I want to read the first 3 now.
archergal's review against another edition
4.0
A worthy end to an excellent series. I have no idea why it took me so long to read them all. Once I got well and truly started, I couldn't stop.
Lots of plot lines were resolved in this volume. The end seemed a tiny bit abrupt, but really, there was not much else the author could have done.
The whole series is really one long story, showing how things change over time, how events affect people and vice versa. Abraham really does write good, interesting, and complex characters. I've always enjoyed his books.
Highly recommended.
Lots of plot lines were resolved in this volume. The end seemed a tiny bit abrupt, but really, there was not much else the author could have done.
The whole series is really one long story, showing how things change over time, how events affect people and vice versa. Abraham really does write good, interesting, and complex characters. I've always enjoyed his books.
Highly recommended.
wjsanger's review against another edition
4.0
It is true that the world is renewed. It is also true that renewal comes at a price
A wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series. A life’s journey from childhood to old age. This series is one of a kind. The choices we make and the burden we bear for those decisions. Everything is both intimate and epic at the same time. Highly recommend anyone give this a go.
A wonderful conclusion to a fantastic series. A life’s journey from childhood to old age. This series is one of a kind. The choices we make and the burden we bear for those decisions. Everything is both intimate and epic at the same time. Highly recommend anyone give this a go.